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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. R. BRANSON & E. E. DAVIS.

GIRGULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

(No Model. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. R. BRANSON & E. E. DAVIS. GIRGULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 594,062. Patented Nov. 23,1897.

I I T5 3.

lllfnasezs n4: NORRIS PETERS co, rnorouwa, WASNINGTON, o, n

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. R. B'RANSON &-B. E. DAVIS.

. GIRGULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897. I

Mmrzsezs Nor 594,062.

THE NORRIS vzrsns co, Paowuwn. waswuofcu. w r.

UNITED STATES- PATE T OFFICE;

EDWIN R. BRANSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND EUGENE E. DAVIS, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO SAID BRANSON.

CIRCULAR-KNITTTINGIMACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 594,062, dated November. 23, 1897.

Application filed July 2 9, l 8 9 5.

. To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that we, EDWIN R. BRANSON, of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, and EUGENE E. DAVIS, of the cityof Rockford, county of WVinnebago, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oircular- Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Ourinvention relates specifically to mechanism for controlling the yarn thatds customarily employed to reinforce the heels and toes of stockings by conducting it to and withdrawing it from the fashioning-needles of knitting-machines at predetermined intervals.

Our invention also relates to combined devices for stopping knitting-machines either automatically or at the will of the operator.

Our invention consists of certain new and useful features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described,and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a knitting-machine provided with our improvements having their parts so adjusted as to adapt them to conduct the reinforcing-yarn to the machine fashioning-needles. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in detail of parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine, Fig. 1, showing the controlling devices holding a thread of reinforcing-yarn Withdrawn from the ma;

chine-needles. Fig. 4. is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation in detail of parts shown in Fig. 4 and other views of the drawings. Fig. 6 shows our improvements adapted and applied to a machine the needles whereof are arranged in parallel rows. Fig. 7 isa side elevation of a machine furnished with our yarn-controlling mechanism and mounted 011 a table or framework provided with our improved devices for stopping the same. The pattern-wheel, ratchet-wheel, and pallet and detent shown therein are modifications of those shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the last-mentioned machine. Fig. 9 is a detailed view of parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Figs.

Serial No. 557,544. (No model.)

1 0 to 12, inclusive, are sectional details at the dotted line X X in Fig. 2, illustrating the mode of operation of the combined devices there shown.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A is the needle-cylinder of 'the machine, which is provided with needles A.

A is a vertical standard secured to the top of the machine-frame.

A is a yarn-carrier projecting horizontally from the standard A B is a pattern-wheel, the periphery whereof is indented by the shoulder 13'', step B, incline B and depressed circular portion B the three former connecting the latter with the periphery proper of the wheel.

4 is a ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft B 0 is an oscillatory arm,the upper end Where- Of is pivot-jointed'to the shaft B C is a spring-actuated pallet for driving the pattern wheel B through the ratchetwheel B O is a detent for locking the pattern-wheel B through the ratchet-wheel B The pallet O and detent 0 Figs. 1 and 3,are thrown out of engagement with the ratchet- Wheel B by the operator, which will cause the latter to remain motionless during the knitting of the last portion of the leg of a stocking.

D is a shaft having the eccentric D mounted fast thereon.

D is a driving-arm pivoted by one end to the lower end of the oscillatory arm 0 and by the other end to the eccentric D.

E is one arm of the thread-controller, rigidly secured to the standard A or other suitable support and provided with an open eye E in the upper end thereof. A closed eye may be substituted for the open eye E, if desired.

F is the other arm of the thread-controller, pivot-jointed at or near its lower end to the standard A or other suitable support, provided with an actuating-lug F, projecting outwardly into engagement with the periph cry of the pattern-wheel B and having an open eye F in the upper end thereof. A closed eye may be substitutedfor the open eye F if desired.

F is a yarn-chute fast to one of the controller-arms, as F, and having an eye F therein adjacent to the eye F for the passage of the reinforcing-yarn therethrough.

G is a thread of yarn that is continuously employed in the operation of knitting.

G is a thread of yarn that is intermittently provided to reinforce the heels and toes of stockings as the same are being knit.

H are yarn-guides of any suitable form and construction.

I is a spring holding the free end of the lug F into constant engagement with the periphery of the pattern-wheel B.

J is the top of a knitting-machine table.

.1 J are respectively fast and loose pulleys mounted on the main shaft D of the machine.

J is a bar mounted in the bearings J so as to slide longitudinally therein.

J 6 is a belt-shipper fast to the sliding bar J J is a spring which holds the belt-shipper J when normal, over the loose pulley J K is a longitudinally-sliding detent held into engagement with the bar J 4 by means of a spring K, having one end thereof adapted to fit into the notch J 8 therein and hold the belt-shipper J 6 over the fast pulley J. The other end of the detent K has an open slot K therein, the side K whereof inclines obliquely backward and upward, thereby leaving the upper portion of the slot narrower than its lower portion.

K is apin inserted through and fast in the detent K.

L is a rotatable cam provided with a pin L, adapted to engage with the incline K of'the slot K in the detent K.

M is a crank mounted on the shaft B and provided with a pin M, adapted to engage with and rotate the cam L a half-revolution for each revolution of the pattern-wheel B and shaftv B N is. a lever for operating the belt-shipper J 6 by hand.

0, Fig. 6, are the corresponding halves of a two-part needle-bed provided with needles arranged in parallel rows therein.

P is a worm-wheel fast to the shaft B which drives the pattern-wheel B.

Q is a worm meshing with the wormwheel P.

R is a shaft whereon the worm Q is mounted.

R is a crank for operating the machine illustrated in Fig. 6.

The machine is operated as follows: While it is knitting the leg of a stocking the pattern-wheel B is motionless after the lug F has traversed the depressed portion B thereof, the free end of the actuating-lug. F resting upon the depressed portion B thereof, just at the base of the incline B and the parts F and F being in. the positions. shown in Fig.

' 3 when knitting the first portions of the leg and foot of a stocking. When the knitting of the leg is completed, about one-half of the needles go out of action, those remaining in action commonly being known as fashioning-needles, the'pattern-wheel B is caused to revolve, and the free end of the actuatinglug F engages with and travels up the incline B thereby causing the parts F and F to assume the positions shown in Figs. 1, 5, and

10, the free end of the lug F, however, being in engagement with that portion of the periphery of the pattern-wheel B adjacent to the incline B instead of the position shown in Fig. 1. The reinforcing-yarn G, Figs. 1,

2, and 10, being then free is engaged by the yarn G, which forms the leg and round part of the foot of the stocking, and travels to the needles all the time that the machine is in operation and is conducted down the chute F to the fashioning-needles, which knit both threads of yarn G G in forming the reinforced heel of the stocking. The machine continues to knit the heel as long as the actuating-lug F rests on the more elevated portion of the periphery of. the pattern-wheelB. When the pattern-wheel B has turned until the lug F reaches the point B thereon, Fig. 1, it descends and rests upon the shoulder B, the parts F F thereupon assuming the positions shown in Fig.11 and gripping the thread G, as shown, thus causing it to be broken by ten sion at or near the needles. As the patternwheel B continues to turn, the lug F descends until it rests upon the depressed portion B thereof. Thislastdescent of the lug F throws the parts F F into the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 12, thereby completely withdrawing the free end of the broken reinforcingyarn G from contact with and the operation of the fashioning-needles of the machine. As the lug F descends to the position last mentioned the needles that went out of action when the operation of knitting the heel of the stocking began come into action again. The pattern-wheel B continues toturn and the free end of the lug F traverses the entire depressed portion B there-of, during which time i the round. part of the foot of the stocking is knit from the yarn G. The lug F reaches the foot of the incline B a second time and ascends the same. The yarn G, Figs. 2 and 1.0, is again released preparatory to being conducted to the fashioning-needles to reinforce the toe of. the stocking, which is knit in precisely the same manner as the heel. Upon the completion of the toe of the stocking the mechanism that controls the reinforcin g-yarn G is at rest until the leg of another stocking has been knit.- The pattern-wheel B, shaft B and crank M make one complete revolution while the heel and the first portion of the foot of a stocking is being knit. The crank M in the course of. such revolution engages,- through the pin M, with the cam L and turns it a half-revolution. After the round part of the foot of a stocking is completed the patternwheel B, shaft B and crank. M make another complete revolution to knit the too with the cam L and turn it until the pin L projecting therefrom engages with the incline K on the detent K and slides it endwise out of the notch J 8 in the sliding bar J thereby permitting the spring J to slide the latterinward until the belt (not shown) that drives the machine is shipped from the driving-pulley J onto the loose pulley J which series of operations automatically stop the knitting- 7 machine at the completion of each stocking.

Whenever the operator wishes the machine to knit another stocking, he ships the belt back to the driving-pulley J. If it is desired to stop the machine by hand, the lever N must be swung from the pulley J 2 until the arm N thereon engages with the pin K and thereby withdraws the detent K from engagement with the notch J 8 in the bar J whereupon the force of the spring J 7 will ship the belt from the driving-pulley J onto theloose pulley J We claim- 1. In a knitting-machine, in combination, a pair of arms pivoted oneupon the other, one arm being stationary, each arm having an eye therein, adjacent to the other, wherethrough yarn may pass at predetermined intervals, to reinforce the heels and toes of stockings, by reason of the alternate opening and shutting of said arms andapattern-wheel for alternately opening and closing the same,

substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a knitting-machine, in combination, a pair of arms pivoted one upon the other, one arm being stationary, each of said arms having an eye in the free end thereof to admit the passage of yarn therethrough, anda yarn-chute, fast to the upper portion of one of said arms and having an eye therein, op-

posite to the eyes in said arms, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a knitting-machine, in combination,

a stationary arm, an additional arm pivoted thereto and provided with an actuating-lug projecting therefrom,a chute secured to the upper portion of the movable arm, each arm and the chute having eyes therein, to admit the passage of yarn therethrough, and a pattern-wheel for actuating the movable arm at predetermined intervals, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a knitting-machine, in combination, a detent, having an open slot therein, one

side whereof is provided with an incline K a rotatable cam, having a pin L, projecting therefrom, adapted to engage with the incline, K, of the detent K, and slide the same endwise, a crank mounted on a shaft B and provided with a pin at its free end for rotating the said cam, the bar J and the bar-actuating spring J substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In combination, in a knitting-machine,

' the endwise-sliding bar J suitably supported and having a notch J therein, the baractuating spring J the sliding detent, adapted to engage with the notch J in said bar J and having an open slot therein, one side whereof is provided with an'incline K a rotatable cam having a pin L, projecting therefrom to engage with the incline K of the detent K, and draw it out of engagement with said bar J a spring for holding the detent K, when normal, in engagement with said bar J and a crank suitably mounted and provided with a pin M for rotating said cam, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

EDWIN R. BRANSON. EUGENE E. DAVIS. 

